History of Westside Baptist Church

Westside Baptist Church was constituted on November 25, 1979.  Rev. Willie Joe Loftin, the pastor of East Newnan Baptist Church at that time, was present as moderator for the first conference.  The church was first constituted under the name Baptist Mission Church and Melvin Payne was elected as pastor.  There were thirty eight charter members and their names are as follows.

Melvin Payne            Lisa Hubbard

Dot Payne                Angie Hubbard

David Payne             Donald Cochran

Robert Payne            Herbert Ford

Robert Davis             Nadine Ford

Gwyne Davis             Barry Ford

Roberta Davis           Sandra Ford 

Joy Davis                  Harley Phillips

Curtis Young             Gertrude Phillips

Harry Yates               Carla Phillips

Melba Yates               Joy Walker

Dennis Boswell           Paul Beard

Anthony Boswell        Jackie Beard

Betty Boswell             Edgar Carroll

Debra Webb              Pearl Carroll

Roy Dennis               Vickie Adams

Patsy Dennis             Evelyn Henry

Mark Dennis             Alma Hubbard

Sherri Dennis

On Sunday afternoon, September 9, 1979, 22 people met at the home of Melvin Payne to discuss beginning a new church in Newnan.  The first church service was held in the civic room of First National Bank, and it was voted to name the church Baptist Mission Church.  We eventually moved to the Lucky Clothing store building, and constituted the church on November 25, 1979, with 38 charter members and elected Melvin Payne as the Pastor.  The first officers were: Church Clerk-Melba Yates, Treasurer-Anthony Boswell, Deacon-Herbert Ford. 

On December 30, 1979 it was voted that we would buy land on Smokey Road, and on January 1980 we voted to name the church Westside Baptist Church.  

In 1980, on Easter Sunday, the building permit was nailed to a pecan tree on the lot on Smokey Road, and construction began.  Melvin Payne became full time pastor of Westside Baptist Church on May 11, and with the church building progressing, the congregation moved its services to a store building in Pleasant Hill Shopping center on Highway 20.  The following October, we took on our first missionary.

One week before Easter, in 1981, the first service was held in the newly constructed church building.  In 1983, the building was bricked , and the parking was paved the following year.  1985 brought us our first Campmeeting, which has become an annual event, and 1986 saw the completion of our fellowship building.

Two years later, we outgrew the church building and once again went into a building program, to make room for the new members who had joined us in service for God.  

Of the 38 original charter members some remain, some have moved on, and some have gone on to be with the Lord.  Over the years, we've grown as a church and as a family.  God has blessed us richly, and are eternally grateful.